The leader of the California Assembly is on the Nov. 3 ballot too. Speaker Robert Rivas, a Hollister Democrat, faces Republican Dennis P. Sanchez in the 29th Assembly District, which includes San Benito County. On the certified list, Rivas is "California Assembly Speaker" and Sanchez is "Small Businessman/Father."

Who they are

BenitoLink reports that Rivas, 46, grew up in Paicines in farmworker housing. He served two terms on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, has been in the Assembly since 2018 and has been speaker since 2023. Sanchez, 52, owns a construction and landscaping business. He reports about 30 years of experience in construction, private security, investigations and public-safety-related work. He sits on the IOOF Garden of Memories Cemetery Board of Trustees.

Data centers: agreement on disclosure

Rivas cited his support for AB 1577 and said data centers must "pay their fair share of electricity grid costs" and disclose their water use. Sanchez also said yes to more disclosure, covering water, power, backup generation and the number of permanent local jobs. He said Sacramento should not "impose another one-size-fits-all mandate."

Public safety staffing

Rivas pointed to state budget items, including $50 million for crime victim services and $375 million for substance use and mental health treatment, plus a 2024 retail theft package he authored with the caucus. Sanchez said state funding formulas should account for staffing shortages and geographic coverage in rural counties. He would seek money for recruitment, retention and behavioral health programs.

Jobs

Rivas cited $100 million in state tax incentives for new businesses and state loans he helped secure for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital ($10 million) and Watsonville Community Hospital ($8.3 million). Sanchez said housing and jobs must be planned together. He argued that housing mandates without roads, water and jobs "risks worsening existing problems."

The numbers

In the June 2 primary, Rivas took 66.5%, Sanchez 18.1% and Republican James Paine 15.5%, according to Ballotpedia.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.

More races and measures: our 2026 election hub.